RAF Hospital Uxbridge | |
Ensign: | Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg |
Ensign Size: | 90px |
Nearest Town: | Uxbridge, Greater London |
Country: | England |
Pushpin Map: | Greater London |
Pushpin Label: | RAF Hospital Uxbridge |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Shown within Greater London |
Type: | Royal Air Force Hospital |
Ownership: | Ministry of Defence |
Operator: | Royal Air Force |
Used: | 1925- |
RAF Hospital Uxbridge was a military hospital within the Royal Air Force station RAF Uxbridge.
Douglas Bader arrived at the hospital in 1932 to recover after the amputation of both of his legs following a flying accident. It was during his stay that he met the Desoutter brothers who were pioneering the use of lightweight aluminium for the production of prosthetic limbs.[1] Bader was fitted with the new style of legs and returned to active service with the RAF, to become known as "the legless pilot".[2]
In early 1940, the officers' hospital on the station became the Women's Auxiliary Air Force Hospital,[3] with the Officers' hospital moving to the RAF Hospital Torquay.[4]